MANILA, Philippines --- Instead of providing value-added tax (VAT) refunds for foreign tourists, the government should move to repeal regressive taxation policies, according to a lawmaker from the House of Representatives Makabayan bloc. In a statement on Monday, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to repeal the VAT and excise taxes on fuel products, pushing prices of basic commodities and transportation costs up. Castro was referring to Marcos' approval of the VAT Refund Program for foreign tourists in 2024 to attract tourist inflow into the country. "While millions of Filipinos are suffering from high prices of basic goods...Keep on reading: Makabayan solon: Repeal regressive tax policy, not VAT refunds for foreign tourists